SPD arrests theft suspect

Starkville Police Department has arrested a suspect wanted in a recent robbery in a convenience store parking lot.

An SPD press release says Joe Mitchell Gillespie, 26, of Josey Avenue in Starkville, turned himself in to the department on Monday. Police had asked for community assistance while searching for Gillespie.

Police were searching for Gillespie after he reportedly committed a robbery on Oct. 9 in the parking lot at the Chevron convenience store at 311 Highway 12. At 11:30 p.m., Gillespie allegedly approached the victim, who was sitting in a vehicle, and asked for money. After he asked, Gillespie reportedly reached into the vehicle, grabbed the victim’s wallet and fled on foot.